UAE Space Agency Participates in World Space Week 2023 with a Line-Up of Events and Competitions

09 October 2023

The events aim to spread awareness on the space sector, national achievements, and their contributions to humanity    • Launching a postcard design competition pertaining to the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA)

In partnership with the Emirates School Establishment, the UAE Space Agency organised a series of events and school visits across the UAE to celebrate World Space Week, observed from October 4th to 10th. These initiatives align with the agency's overarching vision and strategy to foster a culture of innovation and excellence in space and technology. The UAE Space Agency also joined forces with the Louvre Abu Dhabi by organising events for the UAE Space Agency Youth Council.

World Space Week commenced with a postcard competition organized by the UAE Space Agency in collaboration with Emirates Post on the 4th of October, 2023. The competition aimed to support and nurture young creative talents,  inspiring them to design a postcard that captures the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA). EMA is the first mission to study seven asteroids in the main asteroid belt. Spanning thirteen years in total, the mission encompasses six years dedicated to spacecraft development, followed by a seven-year journey through the main asteroid belt beyond Mars. The MBR Explorer will perform a series of close flybys, making unique observations of seven main belt asteroids.

Additionally, the UAE Space Agency organised a series of school visits throughout the Emirates with the aim of spreading awareness and stimulating passion among students about the field of space and its cutting-edge technologies. These visits showcased the UAE’s achievements in  the realm of space exploration, serving as a source of inspiration for the nation’s future scientists and engineers. They encouraged young minds to think about future opportunities that can contribute to the country’s scientific progress.

On the sidelines of World Space Week, the UAE Space Agency, in cooperation with the Louvre Abu Dhabi, is holding an event for the UAE Space Agency Youth Council within the “Picturing the Cosmos” exhibition. The event features panel discussions and sessions with the participation of engineers and specialists to shed light on space and national initiatives, and respond to inquiries from museum visitors and event participants about topics related to this vital sector.

World Space Week is one of the most significant annual events in the field of space, aiming to nurture the next generation of space enthusiasts, scientists, and engineers by inspiring youth and educating them on the importance of space. World Space Week also highlights the increasing influence of space in global trade and emerging opportunities within the realm of space entrepreneurship.